Adjustable life-jacket.



G. W. HENDRY.

ADJUSTABLE LIFE JACKET. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1915.

1,154,860. Patented Sept. 28. 1915.

A A A A A ORNEY warren STATEs rarnnr entice.

GEORGE W. HENDRY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ADJUSTABLE LIFE-JACKET.

Application filed May 22, 19.15.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, GEORGE IV. IIENDRY, a citizen of the United States, residing inthe city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Life- Jackets, of which the following is a speci fication.

My invention relates to improvements in life jackets such as are intended to be worn by persons to retain them in a floating position on the surface of the water.

It consists in means for adjusting the size of the jacket and fitting it to the body of the person by whom it is to be worn and the ability to adjust every jacket from the largest size required to a size small enough for children.

The invention consists of the parts and the combination and construction of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the figure is a perspective view of the jacket.

By Circular 256 of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and under the Seamans Act, on page 18, it states that a life jacket of an improved type capable of being fitted on the body should be carried for every person on board, and in addition a sufficient number of life jackets, or other appliances suitable for children. This requirement would make it necessary to carry the full size jackets required by the depart ment, and also a number of smaller jackets suitable for children. It will be manifest that the requirement for the number of different sizes of jackets would create a great deal of confusion in case of emergency.

It is the object of my invention to make it unnecessary to carry more than a single size of jacket. According to the rule the normal jacket must be 52 inches in length.

In my invention I provide a jacket composed of a series of separate floats A made of suitable material, and these floats are incased in an exterior inclosure of canvas, duck, or other suitable material. These floats ordinarily have stitching between them which unites them immovably, but allows a suflicient flexibility so that they can be bent to inclose the person. In my invention I make the inclosing canvas or material with spaces between the floats, as shown at 2. These may be arranged in any suitable or desirable manner. In the present case Specification of Letters Batent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915;.

Serial No. 29,791.

I have shown two of the floats closely united, then a vacant space and then another pair of floats succeeded by another vacant space, thus making up the whole required length of the jacket. Upon these floats I fix rings or other suitable guides 3, and through these guides pass flexible cords 4. These cords have one end fastened near one end of the jacket, and the cords run freely through the guide rings, the opposite end passing through the end ring at each end of the jacket, so that by pulling upon these cords the length of the jacket can be shortened by reason of the unoccupied spaces between the .floats. The usual shoulder straps or harness 5 serves to support the jacket about the body and when the jacket is in place, it is only necessary to take hold of the cords at opposite ends of the jacket and pull upon them until the jacket is contracted to the desired size.

In order to secure the acket in place with the least possible complication I have shown a ring 6 and upon the opposite end of the jacket is a simple snap hook 7, which is easily engaged with the ring, so as to hold the jacket in position; the cords being then drawn up as described, shorten the length of the jacket and cause it to fit the individual. By this construction it will be seen that no confusion is likely to arise where passenger vessels are equipped with a large number of life preservers; it being possible to fit any life preserver to any person, whether adults or children, and in such a manner that much greater safety of flotation in the water will be effected.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A life jacket composed of a series of independent floats arranged in pairs, the ad j acent floats of adjacent pairs being located at relatively widely separated points, means to flexibly connect all of the floats, interengaging means borne by the end floats and located on the outer vertical confronting side edges of said end floats, a ring borne by each of the floats and located on the front faces of the same, and cords passed through all of the rings for adjusting the floats independently of said interengaging means.

2. A life jacket composed of a series of independent floats arranged in pairs, the ad jacent floats of adjacent pairs being located at relatively Widely separated points, means tive end floats and passed around the jacket to flexibly connect all of the floats, interand through the rings and terminating at engaging means borne by the end floats and the opposite respective jacket ends.

located on the outer vertical confronting In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 5 side edges of said end floats, a ring borne by my hand in the presence of tWo subscribing 1 each of the floats and located on the front Witnesses. faces of the same, and apair of cords for 1 GEORGE W. HENDRY. adjusting the floats independently of said Witnesses: inter-engaging means, said cords having one JOHN H. HERRING,

10 end secured to the rings adjacent the respec- G. C. STRONG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

